Mulching rates

[cat299 mulcher]

Just curious what some average prices you guys are charging. Another local cutting guy in town is low balling everyone. Don't really know what the purpose is. We have bid several of the same jobs and he is $50 hr. or more cheaper than myself and the other guys around south alabama!!! Idiot!

 

[redprospector]

I'm charging $150 an hour for my Bobcat T320/Tushogg. I've heard tell of one of my competitors that will work for $100 an hour when things are slow.
What are you charging?

Andy

 

[cat299 mulcher]

I'm charging 150 as well. And so does the other guys in town. But this clown is running sooo cheap it's stupid. We're all hearing from people what he's charging and it's a **** shame

 

[Fasttalker]

If you are getting plenty of work at 150 and this guy does good work hire him to sub for you!

 

[cat 297c]

I'm charging 150 as well. And so does the other guys in town. But this clown is running sooo cheap it's stupid. We're all hearing from people what he's charging and it's a **** shame

Lol, better watch out he lives right down from u

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I'd say minimum $150 for a skid mulcher and go up from there. The $100/hr guy won't be around long if he's operating a decent machine. Unless he's a mechanic he won't be able to afford to fix their machines when they break at $90-$100/hr shop prices and $100 teeth.
It could be that apples and oranges are not being compared. Some guy running an old style tushhogg that he bought for $6k and is missing teeth and guards could be running it on an old machine with 30 gpm with glass door or no door and actually make money at $100/hr. but he won't be too productive in that setup unless it's really small stuff.
I knew a guy who had an old tushhogg and i noticed he had no cutting teeth on the back wall of his mulcher. I asked him about it and he didn't know they were supposed to be there so there was nothing to recut the material. His drum was also missing teeth.
He was charging $100/hr, no insurance, no tax permit and hauled an over 26k rig without a CDL. Can't compete with that so I don't try.

 

[cat299 mulcher]

Haha yep cat 297, he sho does. Well u would expect him to do that but he's running a Terri pt100g with cimaf head. It blows my mind I just got word the other day he's doing a job right now for 800 a day!

 

[cat299 mulcher]

That was supposed to say terex

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Haha yep cat 297, he sho does. Well u would expect him to do that but he's running a Terri pt100g with cimaf head. It blows my mind I just got word the other day he's doing a job right now for 800 a day!

Everyone has their own fixed and variable costs but in today's economy and knowing what repair costs, fuel, insurance, etc., costs, $100/hr seems cut-rate. Severely undercutting because of lack of experience doesn't help the business model. By the time someone figures out the learning curve, the machine is starting to wear out so why not offer a slight discount while you learn and put away some money for the rainy day?

 

[tonyoz]

One way to get work and stuff up low ball clowns is to offer contract rates based on square area completed, ie price per square ft is xxx cents.If you now your machinery and business well, better than your hourly can be achieved. Low ballers don't have the brains to work that one out.:laughing:

 

[redprospector]

One way to get work and stuff up low ball clowns is to offer contract rates based on square area completed, ie price per square ft is xxx cents.If you now your machinery and business well, better than your hourly can be achieved. Low ballers don't have the brains to work that one out.:laughing:

I agree. I usually have to price my jobs by the acre. The customer knows what it's going to cost, and you know what you're going to get. Now it's up to you to get more efficient so that your profits can go up. The "low ballers" are left scratching their heads trying to figure out how you can do that.
It does take a little more effort, you need to walk the entire property before giving a bid. But if you play your cards right, it will pay off in the end.

Andy

 

[brin]

I don't see how you fellas can mulch for $100 an hour and make anything much...Our local appliance repairman charges $100 an hour plus his service call and folks pay him that...and he has no equipment to maintain....just sayin'

 

[cat 297c]

I don't see how you fellas can mulch for $100 an hour and make anything much...Our local appliance repairman charges $100 an hour plus his service call and folks pay him that...and he has no equipment to maintain....just sayin'

Wished everyone thought like u

 

[yellowdogsvc]

One way to get work and stuff up low ball clowns is to offer contract rates based on square area completed, ie price per square ft is xxx cents.If you now your machinery and business well, better than your hourly can be achieved. Low ballers don't have the brains to work that one out.:laughing:

I find that hard when it's not flat and there are a lot of large save trees to avoid or work around. Another problem with clearing by the area is rocks, ditches, and cliffs that necessitate going around. On flat land where I can blow and go, I can personally guess well but it changes in tight quarters with fences, rocks, and all the trees to avoid.

 

[Draagyn]

How much would one estimate for 6.5 miles of trails and fence lines cleared to a tractors width? All big obstacles would be removed prior so your machine can go steady pace whole time. Ground has very little grade and not a single rock. Thanks!

 

[cat 297c]

How much would one estimate for 6.5 miles of trails and fence lines cleared to a tractors width? All big obstacles would be removed prior so your machine can go steady pace whole time. Ground has very little grade and not a single rock. Thanks!

Need more info tree Diameter, thick vegetation?

 

[Draagyn]

Cat297- Nothing larger than 1" diameter. Medium to thick vegetation.
Sort of looking for rough quote, not just a rate.
Would it be worth infesting in rotary mower or mulcher or getting it contracted out.

Thanks

 

[fishfactor]

At 6 feet wide you have about 4.75 acres. A typical skid steer size mulcher can do roughly 1 acre per 8 hour day in up to 5" material, if there are no obstacles (rocks, ditches, steep terrain, lots of big trees in the way, etc). If everything is 1" and less it can do more. If everything is really that small, a rotary cutter on a skid steer would probably be your best bet, but many of them won't cut the stems flush with the ground like a mulcher, so be sure to qualify stem height if that is important for the end use of your project.

 

[Draagyn]

Thanks fish factor! Exactly the info I was looking for!

 

[Eric H]

We have guys running for $75.00 an hour.... That's right, not a miss print... How they survive is beyond me.